Two goals from Cristian Magerusan gave Longford an important 2-0 win over Galway at a wet and miserable Bishopsgate. Town started off the better team with Cristian Maguruson producing a great save from Galway United goalkeeper Conor Kearns after three minutes when the striker went one-on-one. Longford managed to recycle possession and created another chance for the striker with a great cross into the area but this time it crashed against the crossbar. Galway struggled to get into the game in the early stages. Their first sight on goal came when Gary Boylan delivered an inviting cross for left winger Wilson Waweru on eight minutes however Shane Elworthy managed to get to the ball first and he headed it out for a corner. Ryan Graydon was lively for Longford in the opening stages as he caused the Galway defence lots of trouble in the opening stages. He had a chance on 13 minutes however he failed to convert Joe Powers cross. Four minutes later Galway captain Conor McCormack came close as Luke Dennison was forced to make a great save after the midfielder took on an audacious effort from 35 yards out. They would have another chance on 20 minutes after Waweru went one-on-one with Denison however the attacker dragged his shot to the left and wide. Magerusan made a great run down the right hand side just two minutes later. The striker had managed to beat three Galway defenders before laying off the ball to Graydon just outside the box. Graydon took a shot from outside the box but Conor Kearns made yet another great save. The best chance of the first half came to Magerusan after 27 minutes when an open goal was presented in front of him after a great set-up from Karl Chambers.The town striker fired his ball straight at Kearns in goal.
Galway began to grow into the game more and more midway through the first half Ed McCarthy had a great chance after a good set up from Alex Murphy but Dennison made a good close range save on 32 minutes. Ten minutes later, Galway defender Diego Portilla had a chance from a corner however the Longford defence managed to clear the ball. Longford started off the second half much the better side in terms of possession and control. They were calm and composed on the ball as Galway found themselves chasing shadows. Aaron Robinson had the first chance of the half for the town however his shot deflected off a Galway defender and it went out for a corner. There were a lot less chances in the second half and the first clear goal chance fell to Cristian Magerusan on 61 minutes which he was able to convert after a knock down from the Longford corner. It was an impressive volley which gave Conor Kearns no hope. Ryan Graydon looked like he would double Longford’s lead just three minutes later as the hosts executed a fast paced counter attack with Karl Chambers sending the attacker one-on-one however his effort skimmed the post as it went wide. Galway failed to react to the Longford goal and struggled to impose themselves on the game as they grew increasingly frustrated. It was Longford who had the better of the chances to close out the game as Magussan came close yet again with a header forcing another great save from Conor Kearns nine minutes from the end. One minute later, Longfords second goal of the game came from Cristian Magussan yet again as he connected with Dylan Barnetts inch perfect delivery from a corner. It was a super header with great power that gave Conor Kearns no chance in the Galway net. Longford managed to keep Glaway at bay with relative ease as they were in complete control as they closed out the game for a 2-0 win.
Longford Town: Luke Dennison, Shane Elworthy, Dylan Barnett, Aaron Robinson, Mick McDonnell, Ryan Graydon, Micheal Barker, Cristian Magerusan, Matthew O’Brien, Karl Chambers, and Joe Power.
Subs used: Eric Molloy for Critian Magerusan (85 minutes) .
Galway United: Conor Kearns, Conor O’Keeffe, Killian Brouder, Diego Portilla, Gary Boylan, Manu Dimas, David Hurley, Wilson Waweru, Conor McCormack, Ed McCarthy and Alex Murphy.
Subs Used: Stephen Walsh for Gary Boylan, Jordan Adeyemo for Manu Dimas, Francely Lomboto for Wilson Waweru (all on 71 minutes). Shane Doherthy for Ed McCarthy and Charlie Lyons for Diego Portilla (both on 83 minutes)
